Hardware
Though a PC comes in many different form factors, a typical personal computer consists of a case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop) and the following parts:
Motherboard
The motherboard is the "body" of the computer. Components directly attached to the motherboard include:
- The central processing unit (CPU) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan.
- The chipset mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.
- RAM Stores all running processes (applications) and the current running OS. RAM Stands for Random Access Memory
- The BIOS includes boot firmware and power management. The Basic Input Output System tasks are handled by operating system drivers.
- Internal Buses connect the CPU to various internal components and to expansion cards for graphics and sound.
- Current
- The northbridge memory controller, for RAM and PCI Express
- PCI Express, for graphics cards
- PCI, for other expansion cards
- SATA, for disk drives
- Obsolete
- ATA (superseded by SATA)
- AGP (superseded by PCI Express)
- VLB VESA Local Bus (superseded by AGP)
- ISA (expansion card slot format obsolete in PCs, but still used in industrial computers)
- External Bus Controllers support ports for external peripherals. These ports may be controlled directly by the Southbridge I/O controller or based on expansion cards attached to the motherboard through the PCI bus.
- USB
- FireWire
- eSATA